Philippines

The Philippines rewards nomads who want islands, diving and an English-speaking country. Siargao has built a real surf-and-work community, El Nido offers some of the most dramatic seascapes in Asia, Dumaguete is a cheap, friendly university town close to world-class diving, and Makati in Metro Manila is the business district for anyone who needs fast fibre and a city.

Most Western passport holders get 30 days visa-free (register on eTravel before flying) and can extend at Bureau of Immigration offices for up to 36 months in total. A Digital Nomad Visa was created by Executive Order 86 in April 2025, but as of October 2026 there is still no working application route, so plan around tourist extensions for now.

Internet is improving fast in the cities, but island connections can drop in storms, so carry both Smart and Globe SIMs. Typhoon season runs roughly from June to November, and the driest, calmest months are from December to May. Domestic flights are cheap but often go via Manila or Cebu, which adds time to island hops.